Donald R. Hodel

Donald R. Hodel is emeritus landscape horticulturist with the University of California, Cooperative Extension, a position he held for 36 years, all in Los Angeles, before retiring in 2019. He led a varying career, performing applied research and conducting educational programs primarily for the landscape and tree care industries and secondarily for the residents of Los Angeles County. His expertise is in the taxonomy, selection, and management of woody plants, primarily trees and palms. He conducted over 150 research projects, made over 600 presentations to varying audiences, and authored or co-authored 110 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 600 other publications, including eight books about the classification, selection, planting, water use, nutrition, and disease and pest management of woody plants. He is the recipient of several awards for his work and is often invited to peer-review others’ publications. Don has earned a national and international reputation and been an invited speaker at numerous symposia, conferences, and meeting across the United States and in other countries. He has traveled widely and performed research in most of Latin America, the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and southern Europe. Don received a B.S. in ornamental horticulture from California State Polytechnic University in 1974 and an M. S. in tropical horticulture from the University of Hawaii in 1975. He worked in nurseries and botanical gardens in Hawaii and California before landing his job with the University of California in 1983. Upon his retirement in 2019, the University awarded him emeritus status and he now continues work on selected projects and publish articles sharing the results of his work.